GIVEN Australia's struggles with the ball in the first Ashes Test, there is one bowler who selectors wish was still at their disposal. Glenn McGrath. The legend of Australian cricket arrived in Burnie last night and was guest speaker at a gala dinner organised by Burnie Sports and Events. Ever so charitable with his time, McGrath took some time out of his schedule to visit some kids at West Park before getting ready to attend the dinner. "As ambassador for Elders I get the opportunity to a bit of this sort of stuff in some regional areas," McGrath said. One of Australia's greatest fast bowlers ever, McGrath finished his career with a phenomenal Test bowling record, 124 matches, 563 wickets at an average of 21.64. Australia's bowlers were well short of McGrath's lofty standards in Brisbane. "It (the Ashes) was always going to be evenly matched, the wicket was fairly flat," McGrath said. As a result of their struggles in Brisbane, Ben Hilfenhaus and Mitchell Johnson were both dropped for the second Test at Adelaide, which resumed today. McGrath said it was unfortunate for Hilfenhaus and Johnson to have been dropped. "I will always support our bowlers," he said. "It's tough luck for Mitchell and Hilfy. "But at the same time it gives the opportunity for Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris." Australia barely could have had a worse start to the second Test yesterday, losing the wickets of Katich, Ponting and Clarke in quick succession. "Obviously it was a bit of bad luck with the bat today, but the boys will bounce back," McGrath said. Since retiring from international cricket, McGrath has been involved with work for the McGrath Foundation, but not much with cricket and he doesn't see that changing anytime soon. "Cricket was my life for 20 years, so I'm just taking a bit of a break to get my life in order," he said. McGrath will be in the crowd today when his former side New South Wales takes on Tasmania at West Park. "I still enjoy going, but I don't get down to the cricket that much anymore," he said. To donate to the McGrath Foundation or for more information visit the website www.mcgrathfoundation. com.au.